Differences in hormonal patterns during the first postabortion menstrual cycle after two techniques of termination of pregnancy

Abstract

Fifteen patients underwent first-trimester abortion by one of two techniques. In group P, seven patients received prostaglandin vaginal suppositories during the 12 hours prior to vacuum aspiration, whereas eight patients in group V were aborted by aspiration alone. During the first postabortion menstrual cycle, daily peripheral blood levels of several hormones, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin, estradiol, and progesterone, were determined. Patients in group P demonstrated a more rapid fall in progesterone levels following pregnancy termination (P less than 0.01). They also experienced a more physiologic first postabortion cycle as evidenced by a larger preovulatory estradiol peak (P less than 0.05) and a more normal luteal phase as judged by both the duration and elevation of progesterone levels. Certain endocrine changes common to both groups but different from those of normally menstruating women were also observed. These consisted of short-term spurts of progesterone secretion in many patients (10 of 15) prior to ovulation and exaggerated levels of FSH during the early follicular phase.

PIP: This study investigated hormonal patterns in 2 groups of women following termination of pregnancy, in order to determine whether the patterns conform to those in a normal cycle. 15 patients underwent first trimester abortion by either PG (Prostaglandin) vaginal suppositories (N=7) during the 12 hours prior to vacuum aspiration, or by vacuum aspiration alone (N=8). During the 1st postabortion menstrual cycle, daily peripheral blood levels of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone), hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), estradiol, and progesterone were determimed. HCG disappearance did not vary among the 2 groups and the mean for its elimination was 30 days. All experienced a large increase in FSH between 1 and 2 weeks postabortion. Estradiol levels fell and LH levels peaked. Patients in Group P demonstrated a more rapid fall in progesterone levels following pregnancy termination (p 0.01). Also, they experienced a more physiologic 1st postabortion cycle as evidenced by a larger preovulatory estradiol peak (p 0.05), and a more normal luteal phase, as judged by both the duration and elevation of progesterone levels. Certain endocrine changes common to both groups but different from those of normally menstruating women were observed, such as short-term spurts of progesterone secretion in many patients (10 of 15) prior to ovulation, and exaggerated levels of FSH during the early follicular phase. From observed data, it would seem that those patients whose pregnancies were terminated by PGs had normal postabortion cycles whereas those aborted by vacuum aspiration did not.